Bottle closures



April 8, 1958 A. lsELE-AREGGER 2,829,790

BOTTLE: cLosuREs Filed July 5. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 United StatesPatent() i BOTTLE CLOSURES Alfons Isere-Aregger, Ir'nmensee,Switzerland, assignor to AlbertM. Fischer, Dwagiac, Mich.

Application Jiliy s, 1953,A serial No. 365,342 claims priority,application Germany october 1s, 1952 4 claims. (ci. 21S- 40) lose, orthe like, is preferably applied to the cork to prevent contamination of'the contents of the bottle and to insure a gas-tight seal. Proposalshave previously been made in theart to employ seals of rubber or latexinstead of cork, but such seals Ysuffer the disadvantage that the sameare apt to affect the taste of the contents of the bottle. Inasmuch asit is an essential feature of crown closures, and the sealing materialstherefor, that they should be absolutely inert as regardsthe impartingof taste to the contents of the bottle, such prior'closures have not metwith success. They may serve satisfactorily for soda water containers,but not for bottles intended for the reception of contents having adelicate avor, such as beer and thewlike.

Heretofore, those skilled inthe art have been of the opinion that theseal between the crown closure and the beaded mouth. of the bottle, whenemploying cork seals, must take place in the outer region of the-mouthor lip of the bottle, `and preferably at the point where the lip ormouth ofthe bottle. presents an inclination which, as defined by theinclination of the tangent of that surface toward the horizontal, isabout 45 and more. This means that in such liquid containers the sealtakes place below the upper surface `of the mouth of the bottle andradially outwardly from the. inner diameter of the mouth of the bottle.in such case has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameterof the-mouth of the bottle plus substantially twice the thicknesslof theWall defining the mouth of the bottle.

According to the present invention, it has been found that thisprevailing opinion is false, and extensive tests have conclusively shownthat an appreciably better seal will be obtained if the outer diameterof the sealing area is at the most equal approximately to theinnerdiameter l,

of the mouth of Vthe bottle plus `twice 75 percent of the thickness ofthe wall defining the mouth of the bottle.

This means, for instance in the case of bottles having Infother words,the annular seal effected A 2,829,790 Patented Apr. 8, 1958 are one andone-half to two times asgreat as the pressures that can be withstood byconventional seals.

From the foregoingit will be appreciated that considerable importance isattached to the design of the closure caps and sealing inserts Yprovidedby the present invention. This is particularly true in view-of the factthat when valuable or costly materials are adopted for the purpose ofproviding the seal, it is essential to economize on the amount ofmaterial required in order to manufacture the seals and closures aseconomically as is possible. Y

According to the present invention, the material from which the seal isformed should be such as to be absolutely incapable o'f-imparting anytaste contaminant to the beverage or liquid to be contained in thebottle, and must also be inert to a ,wide variety of substances likelyto` be contained' in the. bottle. that the seal possess a certainminimum resiliency to insure a perfect gas tight seal.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide ahomogeneous sealing material embodying the above properties, whichmaterial `is thickened or padded in the region of the sealing area andadapted to be pressed onto and secured to the mouth of the bottle atA anincreasedpressure. In particular, the sealing or paci-:ing surfaceshould commence or be positioned as close to the orifice or opening inthe mouth of the bottle as is possible and, incertain cases, the sealshould engage to some extent Within the mouth orifice. One reason forthis latter feature is that tests have shown that closure caps sealed inthe manner stated are capable of withstanding extremely high internalgas pressures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a seal or sealingdisc including a sealing bead or collar which may be of any desiredcross section, such as square, rectangular, elliptical, semi-circular,circular and so on. In any case, however, the sealing bead and disc arepreferably so formed as to satisfy or meet essential requirements and toprovide a high degree of convenience with respect to the form ofmetallic cap with which the same is adapted to be associated.

Since, according to the invention, `different materials may be adoptedfor the seal or sealing insert, which materialspmay comprise certainplastics having only slight inherent elasticity, it is an object of theinvention to provide one or more circular grooves or annular recesses inthe region of the sealing collar. The grooves may be of any desiredcross section, but are preferably semi-circular in cross section.

i An additional object of the invention is to provide a metallic caphaving one or more circular or annular depressions therein facing thebottle mouth, which depressions rnay be formedin the cap in the originalstamping operation in which the caps are formed, the depressions beinglocated in thaty portion of the cap adapted to bear against the sealingor packing collar or surface and being adapted to provide an intimateseal with such surface. When a cap and the insert therefor are bothprovided with the circular or annular depressions or grooves referredto, it is preferable that such depressions coincide whereby thedepression in the cap fits within the depression in the sealing collar.

As an alternative to the above, the metallic cap may, if desired, beprovided with an oppositely disposed at circular depression, that is onewhich opens toward the bottle, which depression may conveniently bestamped into the metallic cap during the stamping operation in which thecap is formed. When a cap of this formation is employed, the sealingdiscv preferably includes a packing or sealing collar including aportion adapted to lie in the said depression in the cap.

' In` the case of bottles Iwhich have a substantially smooth Inaddition, it is essential` transition from the inner vertical wall ofthe mouth of the bottle to the horizontal mouth surface, rather than asharp angle, it is an objectof the invention to provide a cap having acentral depression adapted to lit within the mouth of the bottle andincluding an upwardly extending annular rim portion adapted tocorrespond substantially to the shape of the said transition portion ofthe bottle mouth.

Further in accordance with the above object, the centra] depression inthe cap may be drawn substantially deeper so that its depth correspondsat least to half the height of the metallic cap, wherein the verticalwall of the lsaid depression is, by preference, conical, in order toobtain or provide a sealing surface on the inner wall of the mouth ofthe bottle in addition to the upper horizontal sealing surface normallyprovided. Since, according to the present invention, sealing takes placeonly in a relatively limited area, it is only necessary that the sealingmaterial in that limited area, that is in the region of the packingsurface referred to hereinbefore, possess a required minimum thickness.In view of the nature of the seal elected, the material outside of thesaid limited region of sealing may be formed of relatively thinmaterial, as thin as possible to suit the purpose, since the material inthe areas of the sealing disc outside of the sealing collar merely havethe task of preventing contact between the contents of the bottle andthe metallic cap. This material of relatively thin section also servesthe purposes of retaining the sealing disc in the cap and, if necessary,to prevent application of the metal cap inwardly toward the mouth or lipof the bottle. Since the sealing disc as thus formed is of relativelythin section throughout the majority of its area, it will be appreciatedthat sealing inserts made-accordingrto the present invention are formedin an extremely efficient, economical and practical manner.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the sealing discs orinserts, as formed according to the present invention, will generallyrequire no greater outer diameter than that of the sealing collaritself. Such design is preferred. This is particularly true if thesealing insert is itself formed or injected in the metallic cap. If,however, the sealing inserts or discs are manufactured separately fromthe metallic cap, it is preferable to provide a radially extending rimportion outside of the sealing collar, of less thickness than thecollar, which rim is adapted to center and clamp the insert or sealingdisc in the cap. The outer rim referred to may be dispensed with if thesealing discs are accurately centered in the cap and bonded thereto bygluing, sealing, or in .other manners.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a crowntype closure including a metallic cap and a sealing material positionedwithin the cap, the material extending substantially to the rim of thecap, whereby upon securing the cap to the bottle, the metallic cap willnot come into contact with the mouth of the bottle. Such structure wouldbe preferable in providing an extremely sanitary seal. However, designsthat would in any way impair the seal should be avoided.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved bottle closure of the crown type comprising a metallic capadapted to be secured to the bottle and having an aperture or cutouts inthe central portion thereof, and an imperforate sealing disc insertedwithin the cap to close the aperture or cutouts in the cap. The cap asthus formed includes an imperforate annular rim portion, within whichthe sealing collar is adapted to be positioned and by means of which aseal is provided between the bottle and the cap. The central portion ofthe cap, however, may have a circular aperture therein, or the same maybe cutout in various patternsk as.` desired. The central portion of thesealing disc, which is preferably of relatively thin section, provides aseal between the bottleand the openings inrthercap, which seal isadapted to be perforated in a very ready and convenient manner toprovide a drinking aperture, or an aperture through which straws may beinserted into the bottle, whereby the contents of the bottle may beremoved without any necessity for removing the bottle cap. rl`his is ofparticular advantage since it eliminates the necessity for bottleopeners, the sealing material being adapted to be perforated by anysuitable instrument normally carried in a persons pockets, such as a keyfor example. The advantages of such structure, for capping beveragesused at picnics, for example, will be obvious.

For such bottle closures, the seal may preferably consist-of a plasticmaterial which, for reasons of esthetic effect, may either betransparent or colored.

In connection with the above, it has proved advantageous to bevel orbead the inner edge of the metallic cap adjacent the aperture oropenings therein, with the bead or beveled edge extending toward themouth of the bottle.

lf the bottles, as capped in accordance with the foregoing, are to bereused, as is the common practice, the bottles, together with theclosures, are returned to the bottling company so that the bottlingcompany is able to reclaim the sealing material and the metallic caps ifdesired. In addition, such structure provides substantial economies inthe expenditure of sheet metal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedcrown closure including a metallic cap having a stifening rib orcorrugations disposed adjacent the outer edge or rim thereof, so thatthe cap, when being applied to a bottle, will not be deformed nor drawndownwardly deeper beyond the lip or mouth of the bottle than ispermissible in the manufacture of a good secure closure. This object ofthe invention also accommodates the manufacture of the metallic capsfrom metal of thinner section than is normally required, which providesadditional economies in the manufacture of the cap.

As has been pointed out hereinbefore, a variety of materials may beemployed according to the present invention in the formation of thesealing disc or seal of the invention. Such materials must meet theessential requirements of a certain minimum resiliency, and an inertnesswith respect to the taste of the beverage to be bottled. In individualcases, rubber, latex, caoutchouc hydrochloride or other materials may beemployed, if the taste or quality of the contents of the bottle is in noway impaired by such materials. However, preference is given, accordingto the present invention, to synthetic substances, particularlypolyethylene, polyvinylchloride and other plastic materials havingproperties similar to the two specific examples, provided of course,that such materials have no effect on the contents of the bottle.

The present invention 'has further for its object, the process ofmanufacturing the bottle closures according to the present invention,which, as is understood, may be of a variety of types.

For example, the seal as provided according to the present invention maybe formed as a disc by injection molding, which disc may then be placedseparately into a manufactured metallic cap, which cap preferablycomprises a metallic stamping. This method has the particular merit thata large number of sealing discs can efficiently and economically beformed in a single operation by means of a multi-purpose machine. Asthus formed, the separately manufactured sealing discs or inserts maythen be placed individually into the finished caps. In certain cases,the sealing inserts may be secured in the caps by gluing, or by theapplication of pressure and/or heat, the latter preferably generated ina dielectric manner, which securement maybe effected over the entiresurface of the seal or only a portion thereof, such, for example, as atthe center, or

along a circular or annular area, for instance in the region of thesealing collar.

As to the separately manufactured sealing inserts, it is particularlyconvenient to* provide the same as en* tirely symmetrical units, bothwith respect to the aXis and the horizontal plane of the disc, so thatthe disc is readily and easily placed in position in the metallic cap.Since no irregular surfaces are presented, it will be immaterial how thediscs are inserted in the cap'.

According to the present invention, another mode of manufacture residesin the provision of a thermoplastic sealing material, in the form ofdiscs of uniform thickness, adapted to be applied to the material fromwhich the metallic caps are to be formed. As an alternative, such discsof thermoplastic sealing material may be inserted into the finishedcaps. In either case, the material after being placed in the caps isformed under application of heat and pressure. If necessary,modiiications in the shaping of the caps may take place before, during,or after the operation in which the sealing material is formed to thedesired configuration.

A further processing possibility resides in the formation of themetallic cap in immediately successive operations in one of which thesealing material is applied either to the sheet metal from which thecaps are to be formed, or to the metal of the individual caps, andsimultaneously or subsequently formed in a continuous operation.

According to another method of the present invention for the manufactureof the crown closures, a cornpound material is utilized comprising sheetmetal coated with a suitable sealing material. Finally, in a modifcationaccording to the invention, the sealing material may be directlyinjection molded in each cap. In the event, in the latter method, thatthe sealing material should not adhere to the cap, it is possible toprovide a metallic cap having cuts or the likes therein to insure aperfect anchoring of the sealing material in the caps. As analternative, small pieces of sheet metal may be embedded in the injectedmaterial to insure anchoring.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsof the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled inthe art with the manner ofmaking and using the crown closure of the present invention, I shalldescribe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, preferredembodiments of my crown closure and preferred methods of making suchclosure.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals in` dicate like parts:

Figures 1 to 20, inclusive, are partial vertical secL tional views ofeach of twenty different embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, I have shown in Figure l', a crown cap 1formed according to the present in.- vention and secured to the month 2of a conventional glass bottle. the innerwall thereof defines the bottleopenings. On its outer surface, the` mouth of the bottle is providedwith a radial recess'presenting a downwardly facing shoulder againstwhich the inwardly extending portions of the peripherally corrugatedportion of the cap are adapted to engage to secure the cap to thebottle, as is conventional in the art. The cap 1, as shown in Figure l,is substantially conventional in design and manufacture and it isprincipally the seal 3 positionedtherein that incorporates theadvantages of the presentinvention. As shown, the seal 3 is in the formof a disc manufactured of synthetic material and adapted to be inserted,positioned, or suitably secured withinthe cap 1. At the peripheralmargin thereof, the sealing disc 3 includes an annular sealing collar4 4ofincreased thickness which is adapted to rest upon and seal against Themouth 2 of the bottle is annular and the upper rim 5 of the mouth 2 ofthe bottle. Radially inwardly of the sealing or packing collar 4, thesealing insert 3 includes a disc-likecentral portion 6 of very thinsection. As will be appreciated, the portion 6 of the sealing insertneed serve only to prevent contact between the metallic cap 1 and thecontents of the bottle, and there is thus no necessity for formation ofthis portion of the disc of the same thickness as the collar 4.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the sealing insert providedaccording to the present invention is highly economical.

As will be further noted from Figure l, the sealing collar 4 of thesealing insert 3 is disposed with the inner edge thereof immediatelyadjacent the inner wall of the mouth 2 of the bottle, and the radialextent of the sealing collar 4 is approximately 75 percent of thethickness of the mouth 2. This is substantially different fromconventional seals, wherein the annular sealing area is disposed on thecurved portion of the mouth 2 of the bottle radially outwardly of thehorizontal rim 5. As has been pointed out hereinbefore, the dispositionof the seal in the manner shown that is as provided according to thepresent invention,v leads to a construction which is adapted to maintaina tight seal despite gas pressures of one and one-half to two times asgreat as those capable of being contained by conventional crownclosures.

In Figure 2, I have shown a further embodiment of the present inventionas comprising a sealing insert 7 formed entirely symmetrically, bothwith respect to the vertical axis and the horizontal plane thereof, andin* cluding, radially outwardly of the sealing elevation or packingcollar S, a thin rim 9. The rim 9 is adapted to position and retain thesealing insert or disc 7 within the metallic cap 10. When the cap issecured to the bottle, the thin rim 9 places itself between the rim 11of the cap 10 and the sealing lip 12 of the mouth 2, so that themetallic cap does not engage the mouth of the bottle, whereby a highlysanitary condition is maintained.

The bottle closure shown in Figure 3 comprises a metallic cap 13, whichis circularly recessed, or includes an annular depression 14, and asealing disc 15 provided with a sealing collar 16 the diameter of whichcorresponds to that of the recess or depression 14. When the cap 13 issecured to the bottle, the recessed or'depressed portion of the cap 13presses against the sealing collar 15 of the insert 15 so that thecollar 16 is forced at an increased pressure onto the top rim 5 of themouth 2 of the bottle. AThe sealing disc or insert 15 also includes anouter rim 17 similar to the rim 9 in the embodiment of the seal shown inFigureV 2. As shown, the outer rim 17 serves the same purposes and isdisposed in the same location as the rim 9 of the Figure 2 embodiment ofthe invention.

Referring now to Figure 4, I have shown a bottle closure comprising ametallic cap 1S having a circular recess or annular depression 19therein, which depression is adapted to press Vagainst a sealing insert2t) to force the insert into sealing engagement with the rim 5 of themouth 2 of the bottle. The insert 20, as shown, may suitably comprise adisc of uniform thickness throughout, the disc being forced, adjacentthe peripheral margin thereof, against the top rim of the bottle underhigh pressure by the depression 19.

In Figure 5, a modified form of the sealing insert, similar to theinsert 20 of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, is shownas comprising a disc 21 of uniform thickness formed of a compoundmaterial. Such compound material may suitably comprise a highly elasticbut not completely tasteless material 22 having on' both sides thereofthin overlays 23 of a polyethylene foil. The elastic material 22, suchas cork rubber, or the like, enhances the sealing capabilities of theinsert, and the layersV 23 of polyethylene foil serve to prevent contactbetween the contents of the bottle and the material 22.Y By providing afoil 23 on each side of turned toward the inside or-outside of thebottle, Wherebyl ready assembly of the insert in the metallic cap isfacilitated. p

The bottle closure shown in Figure 6 is substantially identical to thatshown in Figure l with the exception that the sealing collar 24 of thesealing disc or insert 26 is provided with a circular or annular grooveor recess, as at 25, in the upper surface thereof. The material for thesealing disc 26 may suitably comprise a polyethylene so that theelasticity of the sealing collar 24 is appreciably increased byproviding the groove 25. The sealing disc 26 is preferably bonded to themetallic cap by the application of pressure and heat, particularly inthe central region of the cap.

Figure 7 illustrates a further form of bottle closure according to thepresent invention. In this embodiment, a thin plastic disc 27 of adiameter somewhat greater than the outside diameter of the mouth 2 ofthe bottle includes, in the region of the sealing surface 28 thereof, asealing collar 29 on the side thereof facing the bottle mouth, and analigned collar on the opposite side thereof. The latter collar isprovided with a central groove to comprise, in effect, two concentriccircular ridges 30 on the side of the insert facing the metallic cap.

The closure shown in Figure 8 comprises a thin foil disc 31 having, inthe region of the sealing surface 28 thereof, two sealing collars whichare disposed in aligned relation to opposite sides of the central planeof the disc 31; Each of the collars is provided with a central groove sothat each, in effect, presents two spaced concentric sealing ribs 32 and33, respectively.

' The bottle closure shown in Figure 9 is substantially identical tothat shown in Figure 6, with the exception that the metallic cap 34includes an annular depression or circular recess 35 which is adapted toproject into the circular groove 36 provided in the sealing collar 37 ofthe sealing insert.

In Figure l0, I have shown a bottle closure including a metallic cap 38provided with a pair of concentric circular recesses or indentations 39and 40 which define therebetween a relatively at depression opening inthe direction of the bottle. Said depression is adapted for thereception of a sealing collar 41 provided on the sealing disc so thatthe sealing disc is accurately positioned in the cap and with respect tothe sealing surface 28 whereby the disc cannot move or change positionwhen the cap is being secured to the bottle.

In the bottle closure shown in Figure l1, the diameter of the circularrecess or annular depression 42 provided in the metallic cap 43corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of the mouth 2 of thebottle. Otherwise, the structure corresponds very closely to that shownin Figure 9, with the exception that the sealing collar 37a of thesealing disc is located with the central portion thereof disposedimmediately above the inner edge of the mouth 2 of the bottle, so thatthe seal is effected partially on the rim of the mouth 2 of the bottle,and partially on the inner wall of the mouth. l

Substantially the same sealing relationship is provided in theembodiment of the invention shown in Figure 12, wherein the closurecomprises a metallic cap 44 including a flat circular central depression45. In the region of the edge 46 of the central depression 45, a sealingcollar 47 of a sealing disc 48 is disposed on the inner side of the cap,the configuration of the sealing collar 47 being such as to conformsubstantially to the inner surface of the central portion 45, the edge46, and the upstanding peripheral rirn portion of the cap 44.Preferably, the central portion of the sealing disc 48 is of relativelythin section, in accordance with the objects of the invention set forthhereinbefore.

The bottle partially shown in Figure 13 is slightly different than thebottle as disclosed in the remainder of the gures and comprises a mouthportion 2a including assayed a gentle transition portion 5a between theinner wall of the mouth 2a and the top edge of the mouth. In the case ofsuch bottles, the closure preferably seals against the said transitionportion of the bottle mouth and preferably comprises a metallic cap 49having a central depression 50 of generally circular outline, whichdepression is bounded by a transition portion 51 extending upwardly fromthe depression 50 to define a generally upstanding peripheral rimportion S2 of the cap. As will be appreciated, the transition portion 51and the rim 52 of the cap correspond substantially tothe configurationof the lip of the bottle. In such construction, the sealing collar 53preferably lies between the transition portions 5a and 51 of the bottleand cap, respectively. As shown, the sealing insert or disc may suitablycomprise a central portion of relatively thinsection including anangularly upwardly extending annular rim portion 53.

A somewhat similar bottle closure design, but adapted for conventionalbottles, is shown in Figure 14 as comprising a metallic cap 54 having acup-like central depression 55 projecting into the mouth 56 of thebottle, the bottle having a vertical mouth wall 57 which is generallyconical. The sealing collar 58 of the sealing disc 59 is preferably soarranged that it rests on the top rim 5 of the mouth of the bottle andis disposed Within the upstanding annular rim portion of the cap 54. Thesealing disc 59 preferably comprises a central portion formed as a thinmembrane integrally joined to the sealing collar 58, the said membranebeing conformed to the depression 55 of the cap 54 so that when the cap54 is secured to the bottle, a further seal is provided as at 60,between the inner wall 57 of the mouth of the bottle and the outer wallof the depression 55 of the cap. If desired, the sealing insert or disc59 may be suitably formed by coating the cap 55, after formationthereof, with a suitable sealing material.

The bottle closures described with respect to Figures 1 to 14,inclusive, all preferably include a non-perforate metallic cap. However,as has been pointed out hereinbefore, the central portion of the cap maybe cut out or apertured to provide a particularly advantageous closure.The embodiments of the invention shown in Figures l5 to 20, inclusive,are directed to the provision of closures of this type.

The closure shown in Figure 15 comprises a metallic ring 61 produced bycutting or stamping out the center of a conventional metallic cap. Thesealing or closure disc or insert 62 for the cap 61 correspondsgenerally to that shown in Figure 6, with the exception that the sameincludes, on its upper surface, a circular ridge 63 including a radiallyprojecting rim 64 to define a recess Within which the inner marginaledge of the cap rim 61 may be positioned. As will be appreciated, thedisc may readily be secured to the metallic ring 61 by pressing theportions 63 and 64 of the insert through the central aperture in the cap61. Instead of a whole ring, it may be suitable in certain cases toprovide only sectors of a complete ring. In securing the closure to abottle, the seal between the bottle and the closure is effected in thesame manner as described hereinbefore at the sealing collar. Theaperture or opening in the cap 61 is sealingly closed by the centralportion of the disc 62. The disc is adapted to withstand high internalgas pressures, and at the same Y time, is adapted to be pierced orpunctured in a relatively easy manner by means of a somewhat pointedinstrument, for example, a nail file, a key, or the like. Thus, theecient seal described hereinbefore is effected, and the furtheradvantage is provided that a drinking aperture may readily be formed inthe cap without the necessity for a bottle opener.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figure 16, wherein theinner edge 65 of a metallic cap ring 66 is beveled inwardly toward themouth of the bottle so as to insure rm engagement with and holding ofthe sealing insert 67.V As shown, the sealing insert 67 is substantiallyidentical to that shown in Figure 10, the disc being. positivelypositioned within the cap 66 by' engagement of the beveled edge 65 ofthe cap with that portion of the sealing collar of the disc disposed tothe cap side thereof.

Figure 17 illustrates a similar closure of a somewhat modifiedconstruction, wherein the metallic ring 68 is substantially identical tothe metallic ring 66 shown in Figure 16, and wherein the sealing insert69 is substantially identical to the sealing insert 27 shown in Figure7.

The bottle closure shown in Figure 18 comprises a parallel to theclosure shown in Figure 9, wherein the metallic cap 70 comprises a ring,formed by providing a central aperture in the cap shown in Figure 9, thecap 7d being provided with an annular groove or depression 7l which isadapted to engage in the circular: or annular groove 72 provided in thesealing collar 73 of the sealing disc.

In Figure 19, I have shown a'bttle closurelcomprising a cap having a cutout portion',` rather than a center aperture, in the central portionthereof. As shown, the cap comprises a rim portion 75, a central portion78', and a plurality of radial ribs 77 connecting the rim 75 and thecentral portion 78'. Intermediate'the ribs 77, the inner edge of the rim75 is turned inwardly, as is indicated at 74, whereby the same isadapted to be imbedded in the material of the sealing collar 76 of thesealing disc. In such construction, it may be preferred to provide aspecially molded or formed sealing disc having an' upper surfaceComplementary' to theV lower surface ofv the cap so that the cap and theclosure dis'c` are mated with one another when assembled. As analternative, the sealing disc may be molded directly to orwith the capto provide the structure defined'.

As is shown in Figure 20, a metallic cap 80 may be so formed as toprovidean outer annular rimA 79 within which radial grooves 81 arepressed, 'whereby a plurality of circumferentially spaced upstandingradial ribs 82 are provided. lSuch structure results 'in a corrugatedrim 79 which is stitened by the ribs 82 so' as to preventdistortion ofthe cap Si) upon application of the same to the mouthZ of the -bottle.---Inother particulars, the embodiment of the invention shown in-FigureZisquitelsi'rnilar to that shown in- FigureA Y1-8. As -will be appreciated,the corrugated rir'nl of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure20* may be incorporated-in any-of the remainder of the closurestructures disclosed in the present applica- All of the embodiments`ofthe invention disclosed in Figures l5 to 20, inclusive, provide lacap having at least one opening in the'central portionthereof, whichopening is sealingly closed by the 'relatively thin central portion ofthe sealing disc or insert. This thin sect1on olf sealing material isadapted to be readily cut, punctured, or pierced to accommodate pouringof the contents from the bottle, the insertion of straws in the bottle,or the direct drinking of the contents of the bottle. Accordingly, suchembodiments of the present invention dispense with the necessity forbottle openers. The advantages and convenience of such structure will beobvious. In addition, the plastic sealing insert may 4contain suitableadvertising or instructions, and the same may be transparent or colored,to enhance the attraction of a consumer to the bottled goods.

In all embodiments of the invention, an improved seal is provided. Dueto the location of the annular sealing area, the closures of the presentinvention are capable of withstanding particularly high gas pressures.They avoid or obviate all of the shortcomings olf closures employedheretofore. respect to the contents of the bottle and is incapable ofcontaminating the taste or quality of the contents of the bottle. Theprovision of annular'ribs or recesses in the cap accommodates aneffective strengthening of the cap and accommodates the employment ofthinner section The sealing material is inert with material thannormallywould` be required. The same is true of the radially ribbed'co'rrug'ation` structure disclosed `in Figure 20. Accordingly, it willbe appreciated that the present invention provides substantialadvantages over `prior proposals for crown closures., Likewise, it

will be appreciated from the foregoing that the presentfrom the scope ofthe invention, as defined by the appended' claims. p

I claim:

1'. ln the combination of a bottle and acrown closure,

an improved closure and seal, said seal comprisingan imperforatepolyethylene disc, said disc being symmetrical in relation to both itsmedian plane and its axis, said disc including a thin circular centralportion, a thick annular sealing pad encircling' said central portionand deiining an annular sealing surface of small area on opposite sidesof said disc engaging, respectively, with the mouth of the bottle andthe inner surface of said closure, said central portion being of adiameter equal substantially to that of the opening in the bottle, thesealing surlfaces on the opposite sides of said pad having an outerdiameter no greater than approximately the diameter of the bottleopening plus twice 75% of the thickness of the wall of the bottledefining the opening, and a thin ilexible continuous annular portionlencircling said pad, said closure comprising a metal annulus having aninner diameter equal substantially to the outer diameter of said centralportion of said seal and including aV depending ri'mportion of adiameter equal at least to the outer diameter of the mouth of the bottlecrimped to the bottle, the inner margin of said annulus being beveleddownwardly toward said central portion of said seal and engaging theinner margin of said pad to one side of the median plane of said seal,the outer diameter of said seal being greater than the inner diameter ofsaid rim portion of said closure and tting frifctionally therein at itsperipheral edge, said thin dexible portion of said seal effecting asecure t of said seal in said closure, said seal being insertable insaid closure with either side thereof exposed, said sealing surfaces ofsaid seal having high pressure sealing cngagement per unit `area with alimited area of the mouth of the` bottle and said annulus respectively,said beveled inner margin of said annulus retaining said seal inposition in said closure, said central portion of said seal closing'theopening in the bottle and the central portion of saidclosure and beingfreely exposed to be punctured t'o accommodate emptying of the bottlewithout the necessity for removal of said closure.

2. In the combination olf a bottle and a crown closure, an improvedclosure and seal, said seal comprising an imperforate plastic disc, saiddisc being symmetrical in relation to both its median plane nd its axis,said disc including a thin circular central portion, a thick annularsealing pad encircling said central portion and defining an annularsealing surface of small area on opposite sides of said disc engaging,respectively, with the mouth of the bottle and the inner surface of saidclosure, said central portion being of a diameter equal substantially tothat of the opening in the bottle, the sealing surfaces on the oppositesides of said pad being of an outer diameter no greater thanapproximately of the outer diameter of the mouth of the bottle, and athin flexible continuous annular portion encircling said pad, saidclosure comprising a 4metal annulus having an inner diameter equalsubstantially to the outer diameter of said central portion of said sealand including a depending rim portion of a diameter equal at least tothe outer diameter of the mouth ofthe bottle crimped to the bottle, theinner margin of said lannulus being beveled downwardly toward saidcentral portion of said seal vand engaging the inner margin of said padto onevside of the median plane of said seal, the outer diameter ofsaidseal being greater than the inner diameter of said rim portion ofsaid closure and tting frictionally therein at its peripheral edge, saidthin ilexible portion of said seal effecting a secure lit of said sealin said closure, said seal being insertable in said closure with eitherside thereof exposed, said sealing surfaces of said seal having highpressure sealing engagement per unit area with a limited area of themouth of the bottle and said annulus respectively, said beveled innermargin of said annulus retaining said seal in position in said closure,said central portion of said seal closing the opening in the bottle andthe central portion of said closure and being freely exposed to bepunctured to accommodate emptying of the bottle Without the necessityfor removal of said closure.

3. In the combination of a bottle and a crown closure, an improvedclosure and seal, said seal comprising an imperforate plastic disc, saiddisc including a thin circular central portion, a thick annular sealingpad encircling said central portion extending to opposite sides of theplane of said central portion, said annular sealing pad defining anannular sealing surface of small areaV on opposite sides of said discengaging respectively with the mouth of the bottle and the inner surfaceof said closure, said central portion being of a diameter equalsubstantially to that of the opening in the bottle, the sealing surfaceson the opposite sides of said pad being of an outer diameter no greaterthan approximately 90% of the outer diameter of the mouth of the bottle,and a thin flexible continuous annular portion encircling said pad, saidclosure comprising a metal annulus having an inner diameter equalsubstantially to the outer diameter of said central portion of said sealand including a depending rim portion of a diameter equal at least tothe outer diameter ofthe mouth of the bottle crimped to the bottle, theinner margin of said annulus being beveled downwardly toward saidcentral portion of said seal and engaging the inner margin of said padto one side of the median plane of said seal, the outer diameter of saidseal being greater than the inner diameter of said rim portion of saidclosure and fitting frictionally therein at its peripheral edge, saidthin flexible portion of said seal eiecting a secure flt of said seal insaid closure, said sealing surfaces of said seal` having high pressuresealing engagement `per unit area with a limited area of the mouth ofthe bottle and said annulus respectively, said beveled inner margin ofsaid annulus retaining said seal in position in said closure, Vsaidcentral portion of said seal closing the opening in the bottle and thecentral portion of said closure and being freely' exposed to bepunctured to accommodate emptying of the bottle without the necessityfor removal of said closure.

4. In the combination of a bottle and a crown closure, an improvedclosure and'seal, said seal comprising an imperforate plastic disc, saiddisc including a thin circular central portion, a thick annular sealingpad encircling said central portion and extending to opposite sides ofthe plane of said central portion, said annular sealing pad dening anannular sealing surface of small area on opposite sides of said discengaging respectively withthc mouth of the bottle and the inner surfaceof said closure, said central portion being of a diameter equalsubstantially to that of the opening in the bottle, the sealing surfaceson the opposite sides of said pad being of an outer diameter no greaterthan approximately of the outer diameter of the mouth of the bottle,said closure being apertured in its central portion and including'anannular portion having an inner diameter equal substantially to theouter diameter of said central portion of said seal and including adepending rim portion of a diameter equal at least to the outer diameterof the mouth of the bottle crimped to the bottle, the inner margin ofsaid annular portion being beveled downwardly toward said centralportion of said seal and engaging the inner margin of said pad to oneside of the median plane of said seal, said sealing surfaces of saidseal having high pressure sealing engagement per unit area with alimited area of the mouth of the bottle and said annular portionrespectively, said beveled inner margin of said annular portionretaining said seal in position in said closure, said central portion ofsaid seal closing the opening in the bottle and the apertured portion ofsaid closure and being freely exposed to be punctured to accommodateemptying of the bottle without the necessity for removal of saidclosure.

837,966 Germany May 5,

